wfn.org | US churches' social platform enters 2nd century

[Philip Jenks <pjenks@ncccusa.org>]

>U.S. churches' social platform
>enters its second century

New York, August 29, 2008 - Labor Day 2008 is sandwiched between two major  party nominating conventions, each of which is generating tens of thousands  of words of tributes to the working people of America.

But this recognition of laboring people has not always translated into legi slation that solved the problems working Americans face.

Three national church leaders meeting in Washington this week urged the pol itical parties to remember these issues that transcend party rhetoric and c all for immediate action.

The Rev. Dr. Michael Kinnamon, general secretary of the National Council of  Churches, the Rev. James Winkler, general secretary of the United Methodis t Board of Church and Society, and the Rev. Christian Iosso, coordinator of  the Presbyterian Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy, cited the ce ntennial of the Social Creed of the Churches as a major marker in U.S. hist ory.

As this year's presidential campaign moves into its final kinetic stages, t he leaders said, the church people of America can point with satisfaction t o the commitment that their great-grandparents made to seek a creedal commi tment to humane labor conditions a century ago, before most politicians saw  the need.

The Social Creed of the Churches, first read in 1908 at the founding assemb ly of the Federal Council of Churches in Philadelphia, was a response to th e scandal of unbearable suffering in factories and mines where men, women a nd children worked up to 12 hours a day under hazardous conditions, all for  less money than they needed to support their homes.

Last year, an updated one-page Social Creed for the 21st Century, approved  in November 2007 by the General Assembly of the National Council of Churche s USA and Church World Service, sought to cut through the lofty words of pa rty platforms and to place urgent, specific social concerns on the national  conscience.

These concerns include the need for universal health care, campaign reform,  regulation of global trade, an end to torture and human trafficking, and a  steady increase in the human wage.

In a joint statement issued today, the three leaders said the major party p latforms indicate "the churches seem ready for more serious change than eit her of the major parties, particularly on the need to shift military spendi ng to meet human needs and the need for greater equality to strengthen demo cracy."

As candidates in both parties call for change on the American landscape, th e leaders said, "the Social Creed offers an explicit recognition that chang e will not come without serious spiritual and communal discipline."

The leaders called on all Americans, regardless of how they intend to vote  this year, to commit themselves to the kind of change that will benefit peo ple of every faith, and of all walks of life.

The full text of the Social Creed of the 21st Century follows:

WE CHURCHES OF THE UNITED STATES have a message of hope for a fearful time.

Just as the churches responded to the harshness of early 20th Century indus trialization with a prophetic "Social Creed" in 1908, so in our era of glob alization we offer a vision of a society that shares more and consumes less , seeks compassion over suspicion and equality over domination, and finds s ecurity in joined hands rather than massed arms.

Inspired by Isaiah's vision of a "peaceable kingdom," we honor the dignity  of every person and the intrinsic value of every creature, and pray and wor k for the day when none "labor in vain or bear children for calamity" (Isai ah 65:23). We do so as disciples of the One who came "that all may have lif e, and have it abundantly" (John 10:10), and stand in solidarity with Chris tians and with all who strive for justice around the globe.

In faith, responding to our Creator, we celebrate the full humanity of each  woman, man, and child, all created in the divine image as individuals of i nfinite worth, by working for:

Full civil, political and economic rights for women and men of all races.

Abolition of forced labor, human trafficking, and the exploitation of child ren.

Employment for all, at a family-sustaining living wage, with equal pay for  comparable work.

The rights of workers to organize, and to share in workplace decisions and  productivity growth.

Protection from dangerous working conditions, with time and benefits to ena ble full family life.

A system of criminal rehabilitation, based on restorative justice and an en d to the death penalty.

In the love incarnate in Jesus, despite the world's sufferings and evils, w e honor the deep connections within our human family and seek to awaken a n ew spirit of community, by working for:

Abatement of hunger and poverty, and enactment of policies benefiting the m ost vulnerable.

High quality public education for all and universal, affordable and accessi ble healthcare.

An effective program of social security during sickness, disability and old  age.

Tax and budget policies that reduce disparities between rich and poor, stre ngthen democracy, and provide greater opportunity for everyone within the c ommon good.

Just immigration policies that protect family unity, safeguard workers' rig hts, require employer accountability, and foster international cooperation.

Sustainable communities marked by affordable housing, access to good jobs,  and public safety.

Public service as a high vocation, with real limits on the power of private  interests in politics.

In hope sustained by the Holy Spirit, we pledge to be peacemakers in the wo rld and stewards of God's good creation, by working for:

Adoption of simpler lifestyles for those who have enough; grace over greed  in economic life.

Access for all to clean air and water and healthy food, through wise care o f land and technology.

Sustainable use of earth's resources, promoting alternative energy sources  and public transportation with binding covenants to reduce global warming a nd protect populations most affected.

Equitable global trade and aid that protects local economies, cultures and  livelihoods.

Peacemaking through multilateral diplomacy rather than unilateral force, th e abolition of torture, and a strengthening of the United Nations and the r ule of international law.

Nuclear disarmament and redirection of military spending to more peaceful a nd productive uses.

Cooperation and dialogue for peace and environmental justice among the worl d's religions.

We - individual Christians and churches - commit ourselves to a culture of  peace and freedom that embraces non-violence, nurtures character, treasures  the environment, and builds community, rooted in a spirituality of inner g rowth with outward action.  We make this commitment together-as members of  Christ's body, led by the one Spirit-trusting in the God who makes all thin gs new.

For the latest information see www.ncccusa.org

NCC Press Contact:  Philip E. Jenks, 212-870-2228, NCCNews@ncccusa.org.

>Philip E. Jenks
>Media Relations Specialist
>National Council of Churches USA
>475 Riverside Drive
>New York, NY 10115
>212-870-2228
>http://www.ncccusa.org/